Watch the Five Horrifying Wipeouts Nominated for Wipeout of the Year

Watch the Five Horrifying Wipeouts Nominated for Wipeout of the Year

In the world of surf, there’s perhaps one award that no surfer outright aims to win – wipeout of the year. This year’s nominees include Andrew Cotton who was quite literally bounced off the bottom of a wave at Nazaré and suffered a broken back, Coco Nogales who nearly landed a kickflip on a heaving Puerto Escondido monster, and more.

Big wave surfing is a branch of our sport that garners widespread attention. First and foremost, massive surf demonstrates the power of the ocean – something that non-surfers may not know or be accustomed to. Second, though, riding giant waves is a lot like running out of a collapsing building during a major earthquake. Watching successful rides gives us vicarious exhileration, but watching severe wipeouts remind us of the consequences. We wince, we groan in empathy, but we just can’t look away.

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Founded in 2010, The Inertia is the definitive voice of surf and outdoors. We approach the natural world and its devoted culture with curiosity, optimism, and respect. We take pride in bringing our passion for the oceans and mountains to life through original films, reporting, and monumental gatherings. We aim to make a positive impact on our planet through partnerships with nonprofits working hard to preserve earth’s sacred places.